THE HAT SQUAD: BENJAMIN HENDRICKSON

"As the World Turns" star Benjamin Hendrickson died suddenly over the weekend at his home in Huntington, L.I. He was 55. No cause of death was released.

Hendrickson joined "ATWT" as Detective Hal Munson in 1985.

He won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2003, after having also been nominated for the award in 2001 and 2002. He took a leave of absence after winning the Emmy and was replaced by Randolph Mantooth ("Emergency") in 2004. He returned to the soap last year.

He also appeared in the PBS Theater in America production of "Time of Your Life."

"The quality we will miss is Benjamin's joyful sense of humor. His humor was one of his most endearing qualities."
- Ellen Dolan
(Detective Margo Hughes, 'ATWT')

"The entire daytime community has lost a dear friend and a talented actor who brought to life the character of Hal Munson.

"Benjamin always joked that he was hired for one day, then, before he knew it, he had impregnated the leading lady and had to sign a contract. He intended to stay with the show for one year. How lucky for us and the fans that we had him for 21 years."
- Christopher Goutman
(Executive Producer, 'As The World Turns')

TV SERIES
"As the World Turns" (1956) TV Series .... Harold "Hal" Todd Munson, Jr. (1985-2004, 2005 - present)
"Another World" (1964) TV Series .... Sgt. Bartlett (1983)
"Texas" (1980) TV Series .... Chris Shaw (1981)

TV MOVIES
American Eyes (1991) (TV)
Adam's Apple (1986) (TV)
The Demon Murder Case (1983) (TV) .... Father Carelli
Dreams Don't Die (1982) (TV) .... Attorney

TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Law & Order"
- Denial (1997) TV Episode .... Warren Talbert
- The Wages of Love (1991) TV Episode .... Attorney for Douglas Phillips
"Mann & Machine"
- Cold, Cold Heart (1992) TV Episode .... Gabriel van der Zalm"The Guiding Light" .... Silas Crocker (1981-1983)
- Episode dated 22 December 1982 (1982) TV Episode .... Silas Crocker

TV SPECIALS
As the World Turns: 30th Anniversary (1986) (TV) .... Hal Munson

TELE-CLASSICS
The Time of Your Life (1976) (TV) .... Nick

BCnU.....
Tele-Toby

[Thanks to the IMDb.com for the credits.]